Electrical terminal

Abstract

An electrical terminal for mechanically holding and electrically contacting an electrically insulated wire or cable. The terminal includes an electrically conductive, elongate, resilient strip having a free first end and a slot, extending in the longitudinal direction from the first end, for receiving the wire or cable. An opening in the strip, which is in communication with the slot, has an internal diameter which is greater than the narrowest width of the slot. To facilitate electrically contacting another terminal, the electrical terminal comprises a base and an electrically conductive, elongate strip attached thereto having a second end for contacting the other terminal. The strip comprises a first element forming the free first end, and a second, separate element forming the second end, the first element being rigidly attached to the base and having a third, opposite end for resiliently supporting the second end of the second element. The second element also has a fourth end, opposite to its second end, which is rigidly attached to the base.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In an electrical terminal for mechanically holding and electrically contacting an electrically insulated wire or cable, said terminal comprising an electrically conductive, elongate, resilient, flat strip having a free end and a slot, extending in the longitudinal direction from said free end, for receiving an insulated wire or cable with an electrical conductor surrounded by insulation, the improvement comprising an opening in said strip at the end of said slot for receipt of the electrical conductor of said wire or cable, said opening having an internal diameter which is greater than the narrowest width of said slot; wherein said free end of said strip is V-shaped and said slot commences at the vertex of the V; and wherein the internal edges of the V portion of the strip are sharp, cutting edges for slicing into the insulation of said wire or cable when said wire or cable is pressed into the slot; whereby the insulation may be separated from the electrical conductor when said wire or cable is pressed into said slot and passed through said slot into said opening.   
     
     
       2. The electrical terminal defined in claim 1, wherein the width of said slot is less than the diameter of the electrical conductor in said wire or cable, whereby the resilience of said strip permits insertion of said wire or cable in said slot. 
     
     
       3. The electrical terminal defined in claim 1, wherein said slot is wider at said free end than in the vicinity of said opening. 
     
     
       4. The electrical terminal defined in claim 1, wherein said opening is substantially round. 
     
     
       5. The electrical terminal defined in claim 1, wherein said opening is substantially square. 
     
     
       6. The electrical terminal defined in claim 1, wherein said opening has at least one projection extending inward toward its center. 
     
     
       7. The electrical terminal defined in claim 1, wherein said projection has a pointed end. 
     
     
       8. The electrical terminal defined in claim 1, wherein said diameter of said opening is approximately twice that of said narrowest width of said slot. 
     
     
       9. The electrical terminal defined in claim 1, wherein said opening is at the end of said slot opposite said free end. 
     
     
       10. The electrical terminal defined in claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of openings in said strip disposed along said slot. 
     
     
       11. The electrical terminal defined in claim 1, wherein said terminal is made of flat sheet metal stock. 
     
     
       12. The electrical terminal defined in claim 1, wherein the sides of said slot are non-cutting edges so as to avoid cutting of said electrical conductor when it is passed through said slot. 
     
     
       13. The electrical terminal defined in claim 1, wherein said strip is attached to a base. 
     
     
       14. The electrical terminal defined in claim 13, wherein said strip is attached to a base at the end thereof opposite said free end. 
     
     
       15. In an electrical terminal for mechanically holding and electrically contacting an electrically insulated wire or cable, said terminal comprising an electrically conductive, elongate, resilient strip having a free end and a slot, extending in the longitudinal direction from said free end, for receiving a wire or cable, the improvement comprising a plurality of openings in said strip in communication with said slot, said openings each having an internal diameter which is greater than the narrowest width of said slot, said plurality of openings in said strip being disposed along said slot, each opening having a different diameter; whereby a wire or cable may be inserted into one of said openings through said slot.   
     
     
       16. The electrical terminal defined in claim 15, wherein the diameters are arranged from largest to smallest progressing along said strip from said free end. 
     
     
       17. In an electrical terminal for mechanically and electrically contacting another electrical terminal, said terminal comprising a base and an electrically conductive, elongate strip attached to said base and having a first end for connection to a wire or cable and a second end for contacting said other terminal, the improvement wherein said strip comprises a first element forming said first end and a second, separate element forming said second end, said first element being rigidly attached to said base and having a third, opposite end for resiliently supporting said second end of said second element, said second element having a fourth end opposite to said second end which is rigidly attached to said base. 
     
     
       18. The electrical terminal defined in claim 17, wherein said first element has a slot, extending in the longitudinal direction from said first end for accommodating a wire or cable, said first element having an opening therein in communication with said slot, said opening having an internal diameter which is greater than the narrowest width of said slot, whereby a wire or cable may be inserted in said opening through said slot. 
     
     
       19. The electrical terminal defined in claim 17, wherein said second element has a stepped portion adjacent said second end for ensuring positive mechanical engagement with said other terminal.